Optimized Job TitleDesign & Release Engineer - Automotive Closures & Mechanisms Overview / Summary We are seeking a Design & Release Engineer to support the design, development, validation, release, and implementation of automotive handles, locks, and mechanisms for vehicle closures, including hoods, frunks, side doors, tailgates, liftgates, and decklids.
The engineer will lead system design and development, supplier coordination, technical reviews, engineering releases, validation activities, and production support. The role will also focus on improving quality while optimizing cost and weight throughout product development and production.
This is a fully onsite position based in
Dearborn, Michigan, with occasional travel to suppliers, test facilities, and manufacturing plants as required.
Key Responsibilities - Lead HLM system design and design development to deliver requirements, design rules, regulatory, and functional deliverables.
- Manage and lead suppliers to achieve cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
- Understand the Global Product Development System (GPDS) and create plans to deliver engineering activities on time.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop robust vehicle-level systems and evaluate HLM component interfaces.
- Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
- Perform, review, and sign off technical analyses and packaging studies, including dimensional stack-ups, GD&T layouts, CAE analysis, dynamic calculations, and simulations.
- Participate in Technical Design Reviews.
- Release and update parts, BOMs, engineering changes, and effectivity throughout the product lifecycle.
- Review and sign off CAD in Teamcenter.
- Compile, document, sign off, and present evidence of compliance with applicable design rules and requirements.
- Develop HLM system documents, including DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, and DVP&Rs.
- Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
- Develop Engineering Statements of Work (ESOW) and Engineering Concepts (EC), and participate in sourcing activities.
- Identify required validation, durability, and functional testing based on applicable requirements.
- Address technical issues through root cause analysis, including 8D and 3x5 Why methodologies, and implement permanent corrective actions.
- Apply Six Sigma principles and data-driven problem-solving methods.
- Define and verify engineering prototype requirements at the part level.
- Support parts implementation and sign-off at assembly plants and assist with quality issues throughout program milestones.
- Review the impact of product development revisions and proceed accordingly when affected.
- Collaborate with Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) teams through the Supplier Engagement Process.
- Lead HLM system activities during vehicle launches at supplier, assembly, and manufacturing plants.
- Support product development from concept and validation through launch and production improvement.
- Manage product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis.
- Facilitate supplier data integration and develop CAD studies to support design improvements.
- Support phased PPAP, supplier process readiness, production approval, and launch closure.
- Use VisMockup and digital mockup tools to verify packaging, clearances, assembly access, and mechanism motion.
- Create and maintain part releases, BOM data, engineering changes, and effectivity in WERS.
- Complete accurate and timely releases of parts, drawings, specifications, BOMs, and revisions.
- Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.
Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- 2+ years of engineering experience in the design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms. Experience may include internships and coursework.
- Experience with automotive latching systems, such as side-door latching, tailgate/liftgate latches, or related latching systems; automotive product engineering or design release engineering; body closure systems; seat mechanisms or seat structures; farming or oil drilling mechanism product design; aircraft landing gear mechanisms; or heavy construction mechanisms.
- CAD capability using tools such as CATIA, 3DX, or Teamcenter.
- Familiarity with CAE tools and software.
- Ability to manage product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis.
- Ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative and prioritize workload.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.
- Knowledge of mechanical design, kinematics, loads, materials, durability, and manufacturing principles.
- Ability to interpret and apply GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and dimensional requirements.
- Ability to collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and plant teams.
- Ability to manage engineering deliverables, milestones, risks, supplier actions, and issue closure.
- Ability to apply structured problem-solving methods and data-driven analysis to identify, verify, and validate root causes and corrective actions.
- Ability to support product lifecycle activities from concept and validation through launch and improvement.
- Ability to work in a fluid environment where vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location may not always be known.
- Ability to solve complex system issues involving a variety of variables where limited standardization exists.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to adapt to a variety of applications and technical issues as required.
- Fully onsite, five days per week, in an office or manufacturing plant environment.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience in the design and release of latching mechanisms, closure systems, or related mechanisms such as seats and seat structures.
- Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
- Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
- Experience with 8D and 5 Why corrective action and problem-solving methods.
- Experience with DFMEA, PFMEA, and SCCAF.
- Knowledge of phased PPAP processes.
- Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T.
- Experience with Adobe Acrobat, AutoCAD, CAE, Teamcenter, WERS, and VisMockup.
- Experience with systems engineering and system design.
- Experience with quality assurance concepts and standards.
- Project or product management experience.
- Six Sigma Green Belt-level data analysis and problem-solving skills; certification may be preferred.
- Ability to anticipate technical, customer, and program needs.
- Ability to balance customer, quality, cost, mass, and timing needs.
- Experience reviewing manufacturing process risks and controls.
- Master's degree preferred.
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